At the turn of the 20th century, the American trend of soda fountains inside a pharmacy began to emerge. By the 1920s, when the prohibition began, almost every drug store in the US had a soda fountain, which became the new social hub. The tradition died around the 1970's when fast food, bottled soft drinks and ice cream became more popular.
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Wiles-Smith Drug Store, an original pharmacy soda fountain, keeps this tradition alive and is the only remaining one in Memphis. Today, it still operates as an indpendent drug store and soda fountain.

You are really stepping back in time at Wiles-Smith. There was a young girl sitting with her dad enjoying grilled cheese and a milkshake, and it was amazing to think that she is enjoying the same tradition that her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents enjoyed.

Try their malted milk, ice cream soda and grilled cheese sandwiches for a true original experience.